United Way beats fundraising goal

The 2016 fundraising campaign for the United Way of Greater Knoxville brought in $13,352,523, which is $201,476 more than 2015’s total, the organization announced Thursday.

This year’s total is a record for the local United Way, said Jenny Brown, United Way vice president of branding & messaging.

“The money raised will benefit more than 100,000 people in the greater Knoxville area and fund more than 100 local programs in the areas of health, education and financial stability in 2017,” she wrote in a news release.

The two largest recipients of United Way funds for their programs this year are Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley, which received $728,348; and the Helen Ross McNabb Center, which got $726,608, according to the agency.

Other major recipients include the YWCA, which got $388,725; the YMCA, with $293,012; the Salvation Army, with $244,718; the Cerebral Palsy Center of Knoxville, with $237,350; and Legal Aid of East Tennessee, $223,465.

The charitable umbrella group held a celebration of the goal Thursday morning at the Regal Pinnacle Theater. It was attended by more than 300, including representatives from partner agencies, volunteers, former campaign chairs and community supporters, the news release said.

Amy Miles, CEO of Regal Entertainment Group, was this year’s campaign chair and announced the fundraising goal of $13.35 million in September.

“This has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career, and I am so thankful to have been given this unique opportunity to raise funds to help people right here in our own community,” Miles said Thursday morning, according to the news release. “To see how our community has come together and to experience the outpouring of generosity and support during my time as campaign chair has made me even more proud to work and live in Knoxville.”

The fundraising chair for the upcoming year will be Ken Lowe, chairman and CEO of Scripps Networks Interactive.

“Amy will officially turn the baton over to him in April at our annual meeting,” Brown said.